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Life Notes: Helping Children Deal with Traumaby Sharon Kilcoyne, MA, LPC The deployment of thousands of American soldiers, SARS epidemic, threat of domestic terrorism and unstable economy are events that are affecting each of us in varying degrees and may be considered as traumatic. Traumatic events take on many forms. For children trauma may be any disruption in their normal routine. Some examples include death of a family member or friend, serious accident, divorce, change of school, loss of a pet or a move. There is a wide range of reactions to traumatic events. Some may experience temporary reactions such as crying, angry outbursts or clinging behaviors. Long-term problems may include difficulty sleeping, nightmares, avoidance behaviors difficulty with school work, or sadness. Any change in behavior from the norm may be related to the traumatic event. Helping children recover from a trauma may be confusing and challenging. What can adults do to help? Let the child know it is normal to have confusing thoughts and feelings. Listen to them and reassure them that the event was not their fault. Emphasize safety and return to normal routines as soon as possible. Give the child a sense of control by offering options about daily activities. Be supportive and understanding if the child engages in regressive behaviors such as bed wetting or thumb sucking. Remember that the behaviors are normal responses to an abnormal event. With patience and understanding, most children will recover within a few weeks. However, some children may require more help. If you are concerned about a child's reaction to a very stressful event, you may seek guidance from a professional who is trained in dealing with trauma. Life Notes: Complete List 2004 2003 The Life Notes articles are written by staff of Louisiana Methodist Children's Home and are published in The Ruston Daily Leader. | |||
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